Effectiveness of Computer Based Cognitive Intervention on the Levels of Functional Independence, Anxiety & Depression, and Disability in Comparison with Conventional Cognitive Intervention in Post Stroke Patients

Abstract

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of computer based cognitive intervention (CBCI) on the functional independence level, anxiety and depression level and disability levels in post stroke patients in comparison with conventional cognitive intervention (CCI). Methods: This study includes sample of 80 acute (up to 6 months) post stroke patients. No recurrent stroke patients were included. Cognitive impairment with MMSE score>10, age between 18 to 65 years, were selected as inclusion criteria. Both groups (N=40 in each group) were trained in session of 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. One group named as Group A performing the computer based cognitive intervention and the other group performing conventional cognitive intervention named as Group B. The main outcome Measures- The relative levels of functional independence, anxiety and depression and disability were measured before and after intervention ( after 4 weeks) using the Barthel Index (BI),Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Findings: After 4 weeks of intervention both the groups showed significant improvement in levels of functional independence, anxiety and depression and disability. The group A showed better therapeutic effects in a time-dependent manner in comparison to the group B on levels of anxiety and depression and disability but there was no significant difference observed in the levels of functional independence. Conclusion: These findings suggest that computer based cognitive intervention may have effects on the improvements of levels of functional independence, anxiety and depression and disability in comparison with conventional cognitive intervention in stroke.